A Second Chance at Love

I Know What I Have To Do

Chapter 5

Nolan’s POV

“I believe you, Nolan. It was just so hard to hear that woman say something like that. It broke my heart,” Parker replied.

Parker looked up at me, and I saw the tears filling her eyes. She loved me so much. How could I allow her to be shamed by Brandie’s actions? I knew that we could have dealt with Parker's parents another way. I could have admitted to cheating on Parker, only once, and groveled for her forgiveness. But Brandie insisted that Parker would be forced to submit to me better if she were all alone. I knew Brandie would make sure Parker learned the truth, that we had been sleeping together since before I met her. Parker would never forgive me once she learned our entire relationship had been a lie.

I never wanted to kill her parents. But Brandie mentioned that Christy, Parker’s mother, had probably told Byron, Parker’s father. I knew she was right. Parker always told me everything about her day. Christy and Byron had no secrets between them. Brandie was right. Thankfully, it worked out for me in the end, as there was no evidence of foul play.

Parker knew more about me than anyone else did. She cared enough to ask me what I wanted in life. She actively supported and funded my dreams, making them a reality. I might not love her the same way I love Brandie, but I care for her a great deal. No matter what happens, I won’t kill Parker, not even for Brandie. I knew how to deal with Brandie. Agree with whatever she is demanding at the moment, to keep her calm. Brandie was glaring at me, and I knew why. She hated the fact that I now had to buy Parker a Christmas gift, and it had to be a good one.

Brandie had no right to be angry. She was the one who insisted I spend over fifteen thousand dollars on the necklace-and-earring set she was currently showing off. She always showed off what I bought her in front of Parker. If anyone was to blame for me having to placate Parker, it was Brandie.

I was embarrassed when Parker mentioned that I hadn’t bought her jewelry since we got engaged. I hadn't realized that it had been so long. I went to speak, to try to prove her wrong, but she was correct. No wonder her parents hadn’t liked me. I didn’t do the bare minimum when it came to Parker. I was going to have to get her something really nice, but I didn’t have the funds for it now. I had already invested the two million I received from their life insurance policy. I couldn’t touch it. Which means Brandie won’t be getting the new necklace that she insisted I buy her for Christmas. She was going to be furious, but she brought this on herself.

“I will correct her, Parker. She must have misunderstood something between Ms. Talbert and me. Maybe she was tricked by an angle, making an innocent interaction between us look inappropriate. I will clear it up. I’m sorry, Parker. I hate that your first night out ended up like this. I’m trying so hard to be the man you can depend on to take care of you. I will be more careful in the future to make sure no additional misunderstandings occur ever again,” I earnestly assured her as I looked down at Parker.

Seeing the tears trail down her face, I felt even more guilt. I was disgusted. I’ve become a whole other person, one I never wanted to turn into. Brandie has never built me up or cared about me. She just likes having s*x with me. I’ve been looking at this whole situation the wrong way. I need to give Parker a real chance as my wife. I planned to marry Brandie one day and never really gave Parker a fair shot. She had been a means to an end, but I don’t want half of Parker’s money anymore. I want to build our companies together. I want to be respected for my own achievements, not as Parker’s gold-digging husband.

I leaned down to kiss Parker, but she turned her face away at the last minute. Now that was odd, but I could tell that she was upset. She also wasn’t into public displays of affection, so I let it go. When we get home tonight. I will worship her body, like I worship Brandie. Maybe try a few new things with Parker, and see if she likes a more aggressive approach. Her only experience has been with me, but Brandie begged me not to go too far with Parker. To save my more enthusiastic techniques for her. I agreed, as I love Bandie, but now I see it as her trying to control me.

Brandie knows what I like. It made s*x with Parker too vanilla for me. I needed more, so I got it from Brandie. It hit me that she had effectively set me up by not giving my wife what I needed, and I needed an outlet. I glanced at Brandie to see her looking up at me like I had betrayed her. Like I was the one who had done something wrong by trying to kiss my wife. I knew Brandie had slept around when she was angry with me. It was how she kept me in line. I knew it was a mistake to hire her nine months ago, but I did it anyway. I was weak, and I’m definitely paying for it now.

“When we get home, I'll see if we can’t get our family started,” I whispered in Parker’s ear.

Parker tensed up for a moment in my arms, and I had to pull back to look at her. Why had she reacted like that? She loves it when we have s*x, so what would make her react like that? Her face was red, so I guess I had embarrassed her. In many ways, Parker was still very innocent. Which made me wonder if she would enjoy a more vigorous experience. I will know tonight, and I look forward to seeing her lose control when I'm pounding into her.

“Don’t say things like that in front of others,” she whispered back.

That settles it. I’ve made my decision. I’m done with Brandie. She’s controlling, vindictive, and never helps promote my company. She's become a hinderance that I no longer need. Plus, why would I settle for half of Parker’s fortune when I can have it all? I can always have other women on the side once Parker’s attention is on raising our children, but I won't give Parker up. Not when she’s the very reason I have everything that I’ve ever wanted. I owe her more than I can repay for what I did to her parents. The least I can do is give her the children that she’s always wanted.

Brandie, on the other hand, has already cost me two sales tonight. If I can’t talk them into returning and letting me build their homes, I won't survive the hit. It’s not the first time that Brandie has messed things up for me, but it will be the last. I’ll have to figure out how to deal with her so I can safely move on. I know that Parker will always have my back. I just need to make sure Brandie doesn’t realize I’m done with her. She would go to Parker, and then the police. Brandie is a liability now. I can’t just let her destroy everything I’ve worked so hard for. I’ll wait before I act. But in the meantime, I will make Parker fall even more in love with me.

For the rest of the night, I stayed with Parker. If I did go to speak with a client, I made sure that she could see me at all times. I know she was suspicious about us going upstairs together. I will have to clarify that with her. I don’t want her to suspect anything. I introduced her to clients and bragged about her for the rest of the night. Brandie was furious, but she was no longer my problem.

I held Parker’s hand all the way home, stroking the back of her hand with my thumb. It had been a long time since we rode together, so I hoped she enjoyed the extra effort I was putting in. I was even getting excited about being with her tonight. I couldn't wait to see her reaction when I didn’t hold back.

Parker gradually stopped replying to me, and I looked over to find that she had fallen asleep. It made sense, she hasn’t let the house since the funeral. I’m sure this night had been draining for her. I was just glad she didn’t suspect anything between Brandie and me. I parked in the garage and picked her up, carrying her inside. I jostled her a few times, trying to get her to wake up, but she was out like a light.

No matter, I will try again tomorrow. I undressed Parker, but didn’t put her in a nightgown. I will revisit our time together first thing in the morning. Parker has never turned me down. The sooner I can get her pregnant, the more she will be tied to me for the rest of her life. I can only rest easy knowing that she was pregnant with my child. Parker will stay with me after that, no matter what. She values family more than anything. I will be more careful for the next five years. By then, we should have three children to keep Parker busy.

I went to grab a shower and ease the ache between my legs. I was actually looking forward to being more aggressive with Parker this time around. I had babied her, but I remember that when I got a little excited with her, she had responded well. Maybe I was overthinking this whole thing. Maybe that was what Parker wanted from me all along. Instead, I had foolishly listened to Brandie. I couldn't wait to wake Parker up properly in the morning. I planned to make sure that Parker knew how much I cared about her before I left for work.

I loved hearing her little whimpers when we slept together. She couldn’t help herself, and I’ve never heard anyone make that sweet little sound. She was so shy, even now. She has never let herself go over, and I knew I needed to push her over the edge to keep her. I never cared before, as long as I reached my c****x. But I knew that in order to keep her, I had to show her how good it could feel. I dried off and slipped into bed naked. I didn’t want anything to slow down what I wanted to be a very pleasant morning. I wanted to see Parker lose control and scream out my name. Parker had never done that before, and I couldn’t wait to see her expression when she finally reached her first o****m.

I listened to the sound of her even breathing as I thought about what happened tonight. I needed to get everything corrected tomorrow, but Parker was my priority. After that, I needed to get Mr. Hamilton and the Jacob’s back. I still can’t believe Brandie. She is single-handedly destroying my business. I made plans and knew the exact steps I needed to take tomorrow. I would apologize to my clients and offer the upgraded tub as a gesture of apology to Mrs. Jacobs. She had her eye on it but didn’t want the additional cost, since the home was already over their million-dollar budget. I’m confident that I can rectify the situation, and fell asleep with Parker wrapped in my arms.